The European Commission is investigating Sanofi for allegedly breaching antitrust rules by running a “misleading” campaign that disparages the only rival flu vaccine recommended for vulnerable patients at risk for developing the illness.
In explaining its move, the EC maintained that Sanofi portrayed the Fluad vaccine marketed by CSL Seqirus as inferior to its own Efluelda vaccine in a communication campaign that primarily targeted health care professionals in Germany and France. Sanofi holds a dominant position in both countries, according to the EC.
Specifically, the campaign, which also purportedly contradicted national vaccine recommendations in several EU member states, suggested the evidence for using the CSL vaccine was weaker than for using the Sanofi vaccine. The Sanofi shot is specifically designed to provide greater protection against influenza for people over 60 years old.
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